Lenten Rose

Hellebores or Lenten Rose are a  tough, easy-to-grow underused evergreen for the shade garden. Their glossy dark green leathery foliage is 15-18 inches tall and attractive all year long. New growth begins in late January or Feb and precedes the 3-4 inch nodding, cup shaped  flowers that emerge through the snow or mulch and bloom during the Lenten season.  Blooms are typically white or pale lavender but plant breeders have developed a palette of exciting new colors including pink, plum, green, dark purple, red and yellow.

Hellebores prefer moist but well drained soil that is rich in organic matter or compost. Once established, helleborus tolerate dry shade. Heavy wet clay is instant death. Planted in mass, helleborus make a fantastic ground cover. They are equally attractive in solitary clumps. Helleborus are deer resistant and although somewhat obscure, they make a fantastic choice even for beginners.

Here’s our line up for the 2016 season.

	Wedding Party Series
	‘Blushing Bridesmaid’- 2 inch, double white flowers with raspberry pink veining
	‘Wedding Bells’-  2 inch clear white, double flowers
	‘Maid of Honor’- 2-3 inch, double flowers that range from light to dark pink
	‘Confetti Cake’- 2-3 inch white flowers with burgundy speckling
	Honeymoon Series:
	‘Paris In Pink’- 3-4 inch, single light to medium pink flowers
	‘New York Night’- 2-3 inch, single flowers in shades of black and dark purple
	‘Sandy Shores’- 2-3 inch, single pale apricot flowers
	‘Rome in Red’- 3-4 inch, single maroon to wine flowers
	‘French Kiss’- 3 inch, single white flowers with raspberry pink veins
	‘Rio Carnival’- 2-3 inc, single light yellow flowers with burgundy-red centers
	‘Spanish Flare’- 3 inch, single light yellow flowers with maroon red centers